Starter Grind Noise

[Rhinoguy11]

So I have a 98 Maxima, stick shift, just replaced the starter a couple months ago. Sometimes, especially when cold when I go to crank the car to a start, instead of starting I hear a grinding noise out of the starter. Seems like if I stop and try again it will make that noise several times in a row without starting. Before it seemed that if I waited a little bit and tried again it would start up with no noise, but now sometimes after I wait it will make the noise again. Could it be a bad flywheel? is the new starter I put in bad? Anyone's help would be much appreciated.
Modified by Rhinoguy11 at 11:59 AM 10/10/2009

[loystock]

You should have investigated the problem the first time you heard the grinding noise. I hope it's not too late. You have to take out the starter and check the condition of the flywheel and the starter gear. If they are still in good condition, you're lucky.

Did you buy OEM or refurbished starter? Some refurbished starters may not have been serviced properly - dried up lubrication on the gear and gummed up rotor and stator. A dirty gear or weak solenoid may prevent the starter from extending fully during cranking, hence the grinding noise. It's also possible, though remotely, that the starter was not installed properly.

The starter is not difficult to remove - 2 bolts to the engine frame, 1 battery connection to the starter solenoid and 1 single-wire connector for energizing the starter solenoid. You can take the starter to AutoZone for free testing.

You can also dis-assemble the starter. Just put some alignment marks so you know how to put them back. Once dis-assembled, clean the rotor-stator with Contact Cleaner then lubricate the gear with White Lithium grease. Re-assemble and test.